How Should You Treat Buyers During Home Showings? | RealtyPin.com

LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- If you're trying to sell your home, you may not know what the proper etiquette is when potential buyers come to tour your home. In fact, you may constantly be humming that old song by The Clash, "Should I Stay, or Should I Go?"

If your realtor hasn't said it already, here's what you need to do when people come to tour your home – leave. Seriously. Like the home selling experts at Realtypin.com always say, the goal of every showing is for the buyers to envision themselves living in the home. But they can't do that if you're hovering over them like some kind of chaperone.

Remember, you worked hard to find your realtor. You searched for potentials online, asked friends for recommendations, and even held interviews with the ones that made the final cut. So, put all of that diligence to good use, and let your realtor handle the showing! They know what's great about your home, so they'll be able to successfully field any questions that arise.

After all, scheduling mistakes happen. You may have been all ready to be out of the house in plenty of time for the 4:00 showing – but the buyer and his realtor mistakenly showed up at 2:00 instead. So, when they arrive, you're sitting there in sweatpants, watching your favorite reality TV show.

Of course not! No one's going to hold a mix-up against you. Instead of having the deer-in-headlights look, exchange some basic pleasantries, grab your keys, and be on your way. Tell the buyer to take as long as he wants, assure him that he's not inconveniencing you in any way, and leave casually with a smile on your face. (Oh, and take your dog with you. As cute as he may be, buyers don't want Fido following them around, gnawing on their ankles while they try to size up a home!)

The last thing you want to do, though, is take the opportunity to act as "tour guide". The buyer is perfectly capable of wandering around and determining if he likes the place, without your commentary getting in the way!

As uncomfortable as a situation like this may be for the buyer, it could end up being even worse for you. After all, what if the buyer doesn't like your home? Are you going to want to stand there and listen to him critique your choice of paint colors, the size of your yard, or the meager storage space?

I didn't think so!

So, do everyone involved a favor, and be nowhere around when buyers tour your home. That way, buyers can house-hunt in peace, and you can go through the selling process without any additional stress!